Rebuilding the rocket
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The carcass of Big Red had three perfectly good
fins. |
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| I connected them together
with some brilliant surgery. |
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When the fins were cut off it
was found Big Red had a hidden fatal condition.
The engine tube had a hole burned through it from the many launches
over the years. This allowed the ejection charge
to
enter the body of the rocket and vent through the hole for the
engine retaining clip. It was a factor in why Orville refused to
eject.
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The new engine holder has been reinforced both
inside and outside. This is metal tape used in HVAC applications.
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The old shock cord mount was
in the parachute compartment
and was a snag point. |
The new shock cord is mounted below the
top bulkhead,
leaving the parachute compartment clear of
obstructions. |
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From the remains of "Big Red"
rises... |
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No, not the "Phoenix", everyone calls the new thing from the old
thing "The Phoenix".
This is the Gray Ghost.
Or should I say the bluish-gray Ghost. (with two minute paint job!)
Ironically, the nose cone and one of the body
tubes came from an Estes Phoenix kit. |
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BACK |
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